8 Most Unique and Beautiful Beaches

It’s no secret that I’m a beach person. I’m a sucker for a good beach! The beach is a place where the sun can melt stress and the ocean washes troubles away. I’m a firm believer that sun and salt water are a cure for all that ails you. So it makes sense that choosing a beach destination is a big decision! I’ve been to quite a few beaches in my life, although there are still many more on my bucket list. Of the beaches I’ve been to, I can honestly say the following beaches are some of the most unique and beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Beautiful beaches of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

If there’s one thing Punta Cana is known for, it’s great beaches! The country actually requires the resorts to keep a certain amount of palm trees on the beach for a tropical ambiance. The resorts span acres with several pools, restaurants, and other activities spread throughout the properties. Of course all the resorts end in a beautiful beach with soft white sand, clear blue water, and a warm gentle breeze. The rooms with beach views show Punta Cana beaches in all their glory!

The turquoise waters of Punta Cana make the Dominican Republic a clear choice to be on the list of most unique and beautiful beaches

Cancun

The water doesn't get much bluer than in Cancun, Mexico

Mexico is a popular spring break destination because of parties, nightclubs, celebrities, and beautiful scenery. However, most of the partying takes place at hotel pools and the beaches get neglected. Cancun has some of the most unique and beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. The water is as clear as pool water and the sand is soft and white under your feet. Just be careful of that hot Mexican sun!

The white sand and bluest of blue waters in Cancun make it a clear choice on the list of most beautiful and unique beaches

Virgin Islands

St. John, USVI has incredible beaches with amazing views

The Virgin Islands are picture-perfect. It’s possible postcards are made from St. John’s most unique and beautiful beaches and lookout points. It’s not even uncommon to spot a rainbow across a sailboat in front of a mountain. The Virgin Islands are just that: natural, untouched, unspoiled beauty. Whether you prefer to swim, surf, or sunbathe, the Virgin Islands have the perfect beach for you.

Rainbows and sailboats and mountains, oh my

Aruba

The beaches of Aruba from the bars over the water

Aruba has a whole different kind of beach. It has year round warm waters that are as clear as a pool and incredible sunsets. There are beach bars which extend out into the water on a pier and has a boat drop-off landing, beach restaurants where you can sit with your feet in the sand, and resorts that give guests a view of that incredible, unrestricted sunset night after night.

A boat is the best place to watch the sunset in Aruba

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Texturized clouds over a sunset in Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach has some of the best sunsets in the United States. Actually, I’d go as far as to say some of the best sunsets in the world. FMB is on the west coast of Florida so the sun sets over the water. This also means that the sun is overhead the entire day, so you never have to face away from the water to get optimal sun. There are beach bars, restaurants, convenience stores, shops, and a state park all within walking distance of each other so if you get bored and want to go for a walk, you have plenty of options and plenty of beach to walk. It’s almost impossible to run out of beach, no matter how long your walk!

Lounge on the sand or take a walk out on the pier in Fort Myers Beach, FL

Costa de la Luz, Spain

Costa de la Luz, Spain. There's so much sun over these beaches!

There are so many must-see beaches on the Costa del Sol, it was too hard to choose only one. Cadiz has some amazing, huge beaches to accommodate everyone. Tarifa has the best windsurfing in the country because the Mediterranean and Atlantic winds are competing at the southernmost tip of Spain. Conil de la Frontera is still a locals’ secret and hasn’t been built up yet for a natural, beautiful beach. Bolonia’s beautiful beach lies next to an ancient Roman town that still has preserved Roman ruins for a combination beach day and history lesson. How to choose which beach is best? Just drive up the Costa de la Luz and try them all out!

Mountains give way into waves over the beautiful Tarifa beaches

Algarve, Portugal

Cliffs block the wind and make southern Portugal the perfect beach spot

The Algarve is getting more and more popular as tourists discover the incredible natural cliffs along southern Portugal’s coastline. The British have already found their way to the Algarve as a vacation destination, and Americans are starting to learn about the beautiful beaches Portugal has to offer as well. The rock formations are unique but don’t prohibit swimming. If you want to swim, sunbathe, rock climb, explore sea caves, or collect shells, the Algarve is the place for you.

Swimming between the cliffs in the ocean in Portugal

Croatia

Croatia is famous for it's beautiful coastline and beaches

Croatia’s coastline is dotted with mountains and islands. Many of the beaches are rocky but they do have many sandy beaches as well. There are also tons of secret beaches accessible only by water (whether swimming, kayaking, or boating). Island tours will take you to nearby islands where you can visit beaches with barely any tourists. Once in the water, you can turn around and look up at the enormous mountain that separates Croatia from Bosnia. An interesting fact that we learned from our Airbnb host is that Croatia has the cleanest water in the world. If it wasn’t salt water, you could drink it right from the ocean!

Go to Croatia in the off season for a prime beach spot. You won't regret it!

These are some of the most unique and beautiful beaches I’ve seen so far. I know I have many to go, but so far I like what I see! Do you agree? What are some other beaches I should put on my travel list?

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8 Most Unique and Beautiful Beaches

P.S. You might also like 6 Best Travel Mistakes and Someday I Will… (A Travel Bucket List)

15 thoughts on “8 Most Unique and Beautiful Beaches

  1. These look amazing and I want to go to all of them! I’ve been to the beaches in Cancun and I think all the tourists ruin it. Lol. Have you ever been to Isla Mujeres off Cancun? Now that’s worth checking out!

  2. I have been to some of these although the Algarve was a bit surprising. TONS of Australians/NZers to the point that I was the only American. Gorgeous, but Lagos was a bit too party-heavy for me!

    1. I noticed a lot of British in Portimao too – almost everyone spoke English! I went in March so luckily it was the off season and I didn’t have to deal with the partiers, although it would have been nice if it was a little more crowded with some more social life. I did meet an Australian who relocated there though! 🙂

  3. I’ve actually been to quite a few of these – the Algarve is definitely top of my list!!

  4. Wow, what a cruel post when you’re sitting in front of your desktop 😉 These are beautiful places. In my favorite I would include Tulum (Mexico) and some secret spots in Greece 🙂

    1. Haha I know, I need a beach right now. Tulum was amazing, the only reason I didn’t include it is because I didn’t go to that beach, just overlooked it from above…but it looked wonderful! What are some secret spots in Greece?? I need tips for my next trip! 🙂

  5. That’s an impressive list of beaches you’ve visited! They span the world! I definitely want to make it to Croatia myself.

    1. Croatia is wonderful!!! 5 days wasn’t nearly enough. Croatia actually has a yacht week – that’s up on my bucket list as something unique and adventurous where I’d get to see lots of Croatian beaches from a different perspective!

  6. So nice! SO amazing that you’ve been all these places as well! I wish the pictures were a bit bigger to see the details but nice post 🙂

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